Abstract: Apparatus for distributing empty and filled trays in a production line wherein the output of a cigarette maker is normally processed by a packing machine has a tray filling unit which withdraws the surplus of cigarettes from the transporting unit between the maker and the packing machine, a tray evacuating unit which admits stored cigarettes from trays into the transporting unit when the requirements of the packing machine exceed the output of the maker, at least one mobile magazine for empty and filled trays, and a transferring device which can advance filled and empty trays directly between the two units or between either of the two units and the magazine. The transferring device has an inclined holder for a filled or an empty tray and motors which can move the holder up or down as well as about a vertical axis.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting discrete block-shaped arrays of parallel cigarettes into a continuous mass flow of cigarettes has an elevator which receives discrete arrays from individual trays while in a raised position and which thereupon deposits a freshly received array on the mobile bottom wall in the compartment of a magazine having upright front and rear walls which are movable independently of each other. The compartment receives one array at a time. A conveyor adjacent the front wall of the magazine carries the trailing end of the mass flow, and the array in the compartment can be added to the trailing end of the mass flow in response to movement of the front wall transversely of the direction of transport of the mass flow. At such time, the bottom wall and the rear wall of the magazine are moved forwardly to expel the array from the magazine. The front wall is then returned to its normal position and the rear wall is retracted to provide room for delivery of a fresh array into the magazine.

Abstract: Apparatus for directly coupling a cigarette maker with a packing machine has a tray filling unit which stores empty trays at an upper level and filled trays at a lower level and receives cigarettes from the maker, a tray evacuating unit which stores empty trays at an upper level and filled trays at a lower level and evacuates the contents of filled trays by simultaneously changing the orientation of cigarettes by 180.degree., and a connecting system which delivers empty trays from the evacuating unit to the filling unit and delivers filled trays from the filling unit to the evacuating unit by simultaneously changing the orientation of the trays so as to compensate for changes in orientation during evacuation of cigarettes from the trays. The connecting system employs one or more upright rotary turrets with tray carriers at two levels and a motor which indexes the turret or turrets and the respective tray carriers through 90.degree. or 180.degree..

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting rod-like articles in the form of cigarettes or filter rod sections from one or more makers to a packing or other consuming machine has a pair of superimposed surge bins which receive articles from a first transporting unit when the output of the maker or makers exceeds the requirements of the consuming machine, and a second transporting unit which conveys articles from the surge bins to the consuming machine when the requirements of the consuming machine exceed the output of the maker or makers. A control system is provided to effect the filling of the upper surge bin prior to filling of the lower surge bin and to effect evacuation of the contents of the lower surge bin prior to evacuation of the contents of the upper surge bin. Each transporting unit has one or more pairs of endless belts and/or ducts which convey multi-layer streams of articles.

Abstract: Apparatus which delivers rod-shaped articles, such as cigarettes or filter rod sections, from a producing machine to a consuming machine has a switching unit whose inlet receives articles from the producing machine, one outlet of which can feed articles to a first transporting unit for admission of articles into a surge bin cooperating with a second transporting unit for delivery of articles to one side of the magazine of the consuming machine, and another outlet of which can feed articles to a third transporting unit for direct delivery of articles to another side of the magazine of the consuming machine. The third transporting unit delivers articles to the magazine when the latter is not filled to capacity, and the first transporting unit delivers articles to the surge bin when the magazine is filled to capacity.

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling blocks of parallel cigarettes in formations ready for packing has a magazine for a supply of parallel cigarettes and three groups of downwardly extending ducts whose upper ends communicate with the magazine to admit parallel cigarettes and whose lower end portions are located at a block building station. The end portions of the two outer groups of ducts are located in horizontal planes, one above the other, and the end portion of each duct of one outer group registers with the end portion of a duct of the other outer group. The end portions of the median group of ducts are vertical or nearly vertical and are located between the end portions of the two outer groups of ducts. The rows of parallel cigarettes which accumulate in the end portions of the ducts are expelled simultaneously by a pusher whereby the expelled cigarettes pass through a mouthpiece which completes their conversion into a block.